Moving more, in the best way for you
Her consultant thought she'd never walk again, but Sue's determination to keep moving every day in a way that worked for her has put her back on her feet.
We all know moving more is good for us. But knowing what kind of activity is right for you can be difficult – especially if you've just had a fall, an operation, or if you're living with a long-term health condition.
Being more active doesn't have to mean working up a sweat or joining a gym. It's about moving more each day in whatever way works for you. A few small changes can make a big difference. After the video, we've brought together some ideas of activities that could help you get started.
Her consultant thought she'd never walk again, but Sue's determination to keep moving every day in a way that worked for her has put her back on her feet.
If you sit down a lot during the day, try to get up once an hour and have a little stretch. If that's not possible, move your arms and legs for a few minutes while you're sat down.
Use the following steps to work towards pushing up from sitting down to a standing position without using a walker or leaning on someone else.
It's a good idea to do some gentle stretching everyday to help you stay mobile – you can stretch in bed or from a chair if that's easier for you.
If you're steady on your feet, try walking from one room to another and back again. You could time how long it takes you and try to beat your time each day.
As we get older, we may start to feel a bit unsteady on our feet. But there are lots of things you can do to prevent falls and stay steady on your feet.
Lots of local Age UKs run chair-based exercises classes, where a trained instructor will take you through a series of simple, fun exercises to music you'll love. As well as helping you to get active, they're also a great place to meet new people.
If you're contemplating starting an exercise class, do it. No matter your problem, there's always some way of matching an exercise to your ability. And you'll find that you feel so much better.
We offer support through our free advice line on 0800 678 1602. Lines are open 8am-7pm, 365 days a year. We also have specialist advisers at over 120 local Age UKs.
Do you want to get active but aren't sure where to start? Find the answers here.
Find out how to stay steady on your feet and prevent a fall.
Many of us may start to feel unsteady on our feet as we get older. Although most falls don’t cause serious injury,...
Getting active at home doesn't have to be difficult. Why not try one of these short videos? They've been produced by...
Age UK has joined forces with other charities to help those with long-term health conditions get active.
If someone you love is struggling to be active, find out how you can support them to get moving again.